Quiet Place: Jody Robinson
Valley Forge National Historical Park
As a young girl growing up in Clifton Heights, Delaware County, Jody Robinson knew she wanted to be a photographer. She found all the inspiration she needed in the photography and videography created by her great-uncle, Dominick. With her 110 camera in hand, she took countless photos, saving her money to develop film and buy heavy-metal magazines at the nearby pharmacy.
By the late 1980s, when MTV began featuring music videos from long-haired rock bands such as Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and Poison, Robinson thought she knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life. “My dream was to become a paparazzi and follow Guns N’ Roses,” she says.
Although she did not get the opportunity to photograph Guns N’ Roses—not yet, anyway—she filled her portfolio with photos of several local rock bands. She recalls preparing to photograph one particular band that wanted a sylvan backdrop for the shoot. Their immediate surroundings in Delaware County felt too urban—more asphalt and concrete than towering trees and open spaces—so they chose Valley Forge National Historical Park, the 3,500-acre sprawl of meadows and woodlands famous for its role in the American Revolution.
Valley Forge has since become one of Robinson’s favorite settings for her work as a professional photographer. In years past, she has photographed wedding parties and family portraits at locations throughout the park. In addition, she goes there to hike and appreciate the simple joys only nature can afford.
“I feel at peace when I’m there, even though it involves a time in history that had so much bloodshed,” she says. “When you’re used to living in a town that has a fast, busy pace, it’s a totally different place when you come out here. You really feel the power of the land. Driving through the park, you see so many different people from all different walks of life. People come from all across the country to visit this place, but we take it for granted because it’s right in our backyard.”
Robinson has transferred her fondness for Valley Forge to her two boys, ages 10 and 13. Her boyfriend, Paul, and his two children—ages 13 and 15—join them for most excursions to the park. She says Paul “changed my life and brought back so much simple happiness for nature and the outdoors.” Their shared enjoyment of Valley Forge has compelled them to explore other sites of historical significance; they are currently planning a trip to Gettysburg National Military Park.
“We all remember Valley Forge in a special way,” Robinson says. “I didn’t care too much about history in school, but I’d say Valley Forge has made my kids more interested in our nation’s history. This park is part of their life.”
Behind the Lens
Robinson earned her degree in fine photography from Antonelli Institute, the renowned visual-arts college that taught students the art of photography and graphic design for 80 years until closing its doors in 2018. Today, as the owner of Photo Designs by Jody, she uses her eye to photograph everything from family portraits, corporate headshots, and high-end real estate, to food, architecture, and natural landscapes. Her work has been featured in many local, regional, and national publications, including Suburban Life.
Robinson earned her degree in fine photography from Antonelli Institute, the renowned visual-arts college that taught students the art of photography and graphic design for 80 years until closing its doors in 2018. Today, as the owner of Photo Designs by Jody, she uses her eye to photograph everything from family portraits, corporate headshots, and high-end real estate, to food, architecture, and natural landscapes. Her work has been featured in many local, regional, and national publications, including Suburban Life.
Photograph by Jody Robinson
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, February 2022.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, February 2022.
